Fiberglass siding

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

p-0002This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 61/204,132, filed Jan. 2, 2009, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

p-00031. Field

p-0004Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to siding and, more particularly, to fiberglass siding.

p-00052. Description of the Related Art

p-0006Siding is popular outer covering or cladding of a building, e.g., a house. Siding shields the building from inclement weather and plays a significant role in the appearance of the building.

p-0007Traditionally, siding was manufactured from wood. Although generally aesthetically pleasing, the maintenance wood siding requires is undesirable and it can be relatively heavy. Metal siding, e.g., aluminum siding, can be made to imitate the appearance of wood, and requires less maintenance than traditional wood siding. However, like wood, metal siding can be relatively heavy. In the case of, e.g., aluminum siding, metal siding can be susceptible to impact damage, e.g., such as that caused by hail storms. Vinyl siding offers the benefits of moderate durability, some resistance to impact damage, and low maintenance. However, some might argue that vinyl siding is not as aesthetically pleasing because it is considered “floating” on the building.

p-0008A more recent siding choice is fiber cement siding which is formed of light weight cement and wood fibers. Although aesthetically pleasing, this type of siding also has its drawbacks. For example, both of the main components (cement and wood fibers) absorb water. It is a heavy product that can get even heavier when saturated with water.

p-0009Each of these existing siding choices may be environmentally unfriendly. For example metal siding is energy intensive to manufacture. Further, each of these existing siding choices benefit from installation knowledge and multiple people when being installed. For example fiber cement, due to its weight, often requires multiple installers.

p-0010It would be desirable for siding to incorporate many of the advantages of existing siding choices, while excluding many of the disadvantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY

p-0011According to an aspect of the invention, a fiberglass siding piece is provided. The fiberglass siding piece includes an upper seating portion of the fiberglass siding piece. The upper seating portion includes an angled siding seat. The fiberglass siding piece further includes a main portion of the fiberglass siding piece, and a lower seating portion of the fiberglass siding piece. The lower seating portion includes an angled siding seat. The angled siding seat of the upper seating portion is configured to receive the angled siding seat of the lower seating portion of an adjacent fiberglass siding piece. Such a confirmation may, in one or more embodiments, create an air and water tight seal against inclement weather conditions.

p-0012The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

p-0013<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is an end elevational view of a fiberglass siding piece according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

p-0014<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a front elevational view of the fiberglass siding piece of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

p-0015<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is an end elevational view of a fiberglass siding piece according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

p-0016<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a front elevational view of two fiberglass siding pieces according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

p-0017<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a front perspective view of the two fiberglass siding pieces of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>.

p-0018<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is an end elevational view of the two fiberglass siding pieces of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

p-0019Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

p-0020As used in this application, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” may refer to one or more than one of an item. The terms “and” and “or” may be used in the conjunctive or disjunctive sense and will generally be understood to be equivalent to “and/or”. For brevity and clarity, a particular quantity of an item may be described or shown while the actual quantity of the item may differ. Features from an embodiment may be combined with features of another.

p-0021<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is an end elevational view of a fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The fiberglass siding piece may be formed of fiberglass or a fiberglass composite including a thermoset resin. The fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may be formed by a pultrusion manufacturing process. For example, in this exemplary embodiment, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> is formed of seventy-five percent fiberglass roving and twenty-five percent polyester resin. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the composition of the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may be varied. For example, a greater or lower percentage of fiberglass and resin may be employed. In another embodiment, a fiberglass siding piece may be formed of fifty to ninety percent fiberglass and ten to fifty percent thermoset resin, e.g., polyester resin, vinylester resin or epoxy resin.

p-0022As noted above, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may be formed by a pultrusion manufacturing process. Because of the manufacturing process, and because of the properties of fiberglass or a fiberglass composite, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may be formed in a variety of lengths, e.g., a variety of predetermined lengths, or custom lengths. For example, in this exemplary embodiment, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may be formed in sixteen-foot lengths. In another exemplary embodiment, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may be formed in twenty-foot lengths. In another exemplary embodiment, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may be formed in a length matching the length of a face of a building to be sided. In such case, a seamless installation of fiberglass siding pieces <b>100</b> may be possible. The precise length of the fiberglass siding piece may be virtually unlimited, but for, e.g., transportation limitations.

p-0023Similarly, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may be formed including a variety of heights. For example, in this exemplary embodiment, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may include a seven-inch reveal and one-inch upper and lower seat portions <b>104</b>, <b>106</b> (discussed below) yielding a nine-inch height. In another exemplary embodiment, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may include a five-over-five profile.

p-0024The fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may be formed in a variety of colors, textures, and shapes. For example, the face <b>108</b> of the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may include a beaded edge. As another example, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may include shake or scalloped shapes. As another example, the face <b>108</b> of the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may include a wood-texture. The fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may receive a coating during manufacture, or thereafter.

p-0025The fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may include a main portion <b>102</b>, an upper seat portion (e.g., flange portion) <b>104</b>, and a lower seat portion <b>106</b>. The main portion <b>202</b> may include a face <b>108</b>. The upper seat portion <b>104</b> may include an upper flat siding seat <b>110</b>, slots <b>112</b>, and an upper angled siding seat <b>114</b>. The lower seat portion <b>106</b> may include a lower flat siding seat <b>118</b> and a lower angled siding seat <b>116</b>.

p-0026The face <b>108</b> is on the front side of the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> and is the portion of the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> that is visible on a building after installation, e.g., the reveal. In this exemplary embodiment, the face <b>108</b> includes the front side of the main portion <b>102</b> and the front side of the lower seat portion <b>106</b>. Opposite the face <b>108</b> is the back of the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b>. The back of the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may abut the building when installed, thereby acting as a backing support to the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b>.

p-0027Upon installation, the upper seat portion <b>104</b> of a first fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> and the lower seat portion <b>106</b> of an adjoining second fiberglass siding piece are mated together. As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, the upper angled siding seat <b>114</b> receives the lower angled siding seat <b>116</b> of the adjoining second fiberglass siding piece. The upper flat siding seat <b>110</b> receives the lower flat siding seat <b>118</b> of the adjoining second fiberglass siding piece.

p-0028Because of the inward (relative to a building) angle of the upper angled siding seat <b>114</b> of the first fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b>, the adjoining second fiberglass siding piece may remain in place when the lower angled siding seat <b>116</b> of the adjoining second fiberglass siding piece is placed against or into the upper angled siding seat <b>114</b> of the first fiberglass siding piece. Accordingly, a single installer may position and nail, screw, or otherwise fasten the adjoining second fiberglass siding piece without the help of an additional installer. Further, due to the upper seat portion <b>104</b> and the lower seat portion <b>106</b>, the installer may not need to measure the reveal, nor use a leveling device for subsequent fiberglass siding pieces after the starter strip or the first fiberglass siding piece is installed. Thus, installation is simple and more accurate. Further, an air and water tight seal may be achieved.

p-0029Because of the design of the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b>, installation may be simple in that less cuts and less movements of fiberglass siding pieces may be required during installation. This may significantly save on labor costs associated with installing fiberglass siding pieces compared with other types of siding currently available.

p-0030Because of the fiberglass based composition of the fiberglass siding panel, the fiberglass siding panel may be waterproof, lightweight, durable, and weather resistant. This may be beneficial when the fiberglass siding panel is stored, transported, and installed.

p-0031Because of the placement of the lower seat portion <b>106</b> of an adjacent second fiberglass siding piece overtop of the upper seat portion <b>104</b> of the first fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b>, nails, screws, or other fasteners placed through the slots <b>112</b> of the first fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may be hidden. In other words, the fiberglass siding pieces may be blind nailed.

p-0032Because of the pultrusion manufacturing process, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may be lightweight and strong, which may be beneficial in terms of storage, transportation, and installation. Further, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may be considered a green product in that it requires less energy to produce than other siding types. Further, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may have less waste throughout installation and may be recyclable.

p-0033<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a front elevational view of the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. As noted above, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may include slots <b>112</b>. In this exemplary embodiment, the slots <b>112</b> may each be one inch wide, ⅛th of an inch tall, and spaced one inch apart. It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the measurements associated with, among other items, the slots may be varied. As discussed below, one or more of the slots <b>112</b> may receive nails, screws, or other fasteners to attach the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> to a building.

p-0034The fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may include slot indicia, which may serve as a corresponding numbering system of slots for stud location as each fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> is installed. For example, in this exemplary embodiment, the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> may include slot indicia including the numbers “0” through “7”. Particular slot indicia may correspond to particular slots <b>112</b>. The slot indicia “0” may correspond to the first slot <b>112</b>, the slot indicia “1” may correspond to the second slot <b>114</b>, and so on in like manner up through the slot indicia “7” which may correspond to the eighth slot <b>112</b>. At that point, the indicia may repeat in order for the next eight slots <b>112</b>. Accordingly, the indicia “0” may correspond to the ninth slot <b>112</b>.

p-0035During installation, a stud may be identified into which a nail, screw, or other fastener may be placed to attach the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> to the building using a slot. If the slot indicia “0” corresponds with the particular slot <b>112</b> that lines up with the identified stud, then all slots corresponding with the slot indicia “0” may have a stud placed behind them. That is, the slots corresponding with the slot indicia “0” may be placed at a same distance from one another as the distance from one stud to another. For example, in this exemplary embodiment, the slot corresponding with the slot indicia “0” may be sixteen-inches on center from one another. Accordingly, an installer may, after identifying one stud of a building face, use the slots <b>112</b> having the slot indicia “0” to insert additional nails, screws, or other fasters to attach the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> to the building. It will be understood that by one of ordinary skill in the art that the numbering or labeling of the slot indicia as well as the spacing of the slots may be varied.

p-0036The slot indicia may be used in a second manner to identify slots <b>112</b> having studs behind them. When two fiberglass siding pieces <b>100</b> adjoin one other (e.g., as discussed above), the slot indicia of the first fiberglass siding piece may be corresponded with the slot indicia of the adjoining second fiberglass siding piece. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, slot indicia “3” of the adjoining second fiberglass piece corresponds to slot indicia “0” of the first (e.g., previously installed) fiberglass siding piece. It should be noted that lower siding pieces may affixed before upper siding pieces. Returning to the exemplary embodiment shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, all slots in the adjoining second fiberglass siding piece corresponding with the slot indicia “3” may have a stud behind them. This use of the slot indicia may be useful when a fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> is being installed in a seamed manner, e.g., fiberglass siding pieces placed side by side and each fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> not matching the length of a face of a building to be sided. It should be noted that when the fiberglass siding piece is being installed in a seamed manner, the seam may receive a fiberglass based adhesive strip on a back of the seam.

p-0037<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is an end elevational view of a fiberglass siding piece <b>200</b> according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The fiberglass siding piece <b>200</b> may be formed of fiberglass or a fiberglass composite. Aspects of the fiberglass siding piece <b>200</b> may be formed similarly in terms of material and dimension to the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. Further, benefits may be similar to those of the fiberglass siding piece <b>100</b> of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. Accordingly, a detailed discussion of such similar aspects is omitted here for the sake of brevity.

p-0038The fiberglass siding piece <b>200</b> may include a main portion <b>202</b>, an upper seat portion <b>204</b>, and a lower seat portion <b>206</b>. The main portion <b>202</b> may include a thickness of one-tenth of one inch. The main portion <b>202</b> may include a face <b>208</b>. The upper seat portion <b>204</b> may include a first upper angled siding seat <b>214</b>, slots <b>212</b>, and a second upper angled siding seat <b>210</b>. The slots may be formed in a variety of sizes and shapes. For example, in this exemplary embodiment, the slots may be one-eighth inch nail slots. The upper seat portion <b>204</b> may include a thickness of 0.188 inches. The lower seat portion <b>206</b> may include a first lower angled siding seat <b>218</b> and a second lower angled siding seat <b>216</b>. The second lower angled siding seat <b>216</b> may be formed of a protruding element <b>222</b> and may include a surface angled forty-five degrees relative to the back of the lower seat portion <b>206</b>. The upper seat portion <b>204</b> and the main portion <b>202</b> may be may be non-coplanar. The lower seat portion <b>206</b> and the main portion <b>202</b> may be coplanar.

p-0039The face is on the front side of the fiberglass siding piece <b>200</b> and is the portion of the fiberglass siding piece <b>200</b> that is visible on a building after installation, e.g., the reveal. In this exemplary embodiment, the face <b>208</b> includes the front side of the main portion <b>202</b> and the front side of the lower seat portion <b>206</b>. The face may include an seven-inch reveal and one-inch upper and lower seat portions <b>204</b>, <b>206</b> yielding a nine-inch overall height. Opposite the face <b>208</b> is the back of the fiberglass siding piece <b>200</b>. The back of the fiberglass siding piece <b>200</b> may include one or more protruding elements <b>220</b> that run the length of the piece. An outer point of the one or more protruding elements <b>220</b>, the back of the upper seat portion <b>204</b>, and an outer surface of the protruding element <b>222</b> may abut the building when installed, thereby acting as a backing support to the fiberglass siding piece <b>200</b>.

p-0040Upon installation, the upper seat portion <b>204</b> of a first fiberglass siding piece <b>200</b> and the lower seat portion <b>206</b> of an adjoining second fiberglass siding piece are mated together. The first upper angled siding seat <b>214</b> receives the second lower angled siding seat <b>216</b> of the adjoining second fiberglass siding piece. The second upper angled siding seat <b>210</b> receives the first lower angled siding seat <b>218</b> of the adjoining second fiberglass siding piece.

p-0041Because of the inward (relative to a building) angle of both the first and second upper angled siding seats <b>214</b>, <b>210</b> of the fiberglass siding piece <b>200</b>, the adjoining second fiberglass siding piece may remain in place when both the first and second lower angled siding seats <b>218</b>, <b>216</b> are placed against or into the first and second upper angled siding seats <b>214</b>, <b>210</b>.

p-0042Numerous changes to the embodiments discussed above are contemplated. For example, the precise seating arrangement of a fiberglass siding piece may be varied as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4-6</figref>. Accordingly, although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.